Pittsburgh council OKs $553K in settlements, $400K library grant
Pittsburgh City Council wrapped up a busy two weeks by approving more than $550,000 in litigation settlements and a $400,000 grant for the Carnegie Library system, along with new tax exemptions for Northside construction, licensing rules for amusement devices, and the sale of 23 tax-delinquent properties.
Legal settlements and library grant
Council on June 30 voted 6-0 to settle four civil lawsuits, with payments totaling $328,296.64. The cases involved Robert Mahouski ($108,296.64), Thomas and Sarah Bench ($70,000), Joseph Engelmeier ($60,000), and Daryl and Karen Luciani ($90,000). Those approvals followed a June 24 meeting of the Finance and Law Committee, where members recommended that package plus four additional settlements — including a $125,000 payment to the Perry estate — bringing the committee-recommended total to $553,296.64. The committee also gave a green light to a $400,000 Keystone grant cooperation agreement to replace the Carnegie Library’s HVAC system and roof.
Tax exemptions, amusement devices pass unanimously
On June 24, council enacted two ordinances by 8-0 votes. One creates a real estate tax exemption for new construction or adaptive reuse of buildings on the Northside. The other establishes a licensing and taxation framework for mechanical amusement devices. Both measures had been the subject of public hearings earlier in the month. The Northside bill (2026-0426) was drafted to spur redevelopment; the amusement device ordinance (2026-0544) adds a new chapter to the city code.
Sale of tax-delinquent properties
Council on June 23 gave final approval to a resolution authorizing the sale of 23 tax-delinquent properties across multiple wards. The vote was on a motion that carried without opposition. The same meeting saw the adoption of three ceremonial proclamations designating June 23 as Aphasia Awareness Day, Ryan Lestitian Day, and Dravet Syndrome Awareness Day.
Appointments and extensions
During the June 30 session, council confirmed Lori McCartney as assistant chief of police, 6-0, and extended the term of the acting director of innovation and performance by 90 days, also 6-0. The body also declared July 5 “Martyrs Day” and June 30 “Idella L. Michaels Day.”
Infrastructure and committee actions
The July 1 standing committees advanced several capital budget adjustments. Among them, members affirmatively recommended increasing McArdle Bridge design funding by $500,000, boosting a STV Incorporated engineering contract for the same bridge, and decreasing vehicle fleet management spending by $988,402.29. A refere ndum question on budget approval rules was held in committee until July 29, and a $60,000 transfer for play area and public safety equipment was also held. Committees approved routine departmental invoices and p-card transactions.
Coming up
July 7, City Council — Council will consider a $1.25 million PennDOT reimbursement agreement and a $997,407.91 engineering contract with STV for the McArdle Bridge over Hillside project, a six-year extension of the TransDev fleet management contract valued at $78.26 million, a $250,000 Safe Passages youth violence prevention contract with Operation Better Block, and the Pittsburgh Land Bank’s acquisition of three vacant city-owned properties.
July 8, Committee on Hearings and Policy — A public hearing on Bill 2026-0518, which would create the East Carson Street Neighborhood Improvement District, will review bylaws, a management plan, and the list of properties subject to assessments.
July 8, Standing Committees — Members will vote on a contract for social services programming at Burgwin Recreation Center (up to $250,000), an IT network support agreement with ePlus Technology ($95,440 annually), a four-year state legislative consulting contract with Malady & Wooten Inc. (maximum $264,000), and a no-cost license for ALCOSAN to build diversion structures at 2200 Spring Garden Avenue.
July 9, Committee on Hearings and Policy — A public hearing on Bill 513 will consider rezoning three Kelly Street parcels in Homewood West from residential single-unit detached to urban industrial, with review of a planning commission staff report.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.